Approaching the bow of a ship under way to take the towline messenger is an operation demanding considerable skill and involves some risk. Constant attention is essential on the part of both the trainer and the trainee. During the operations leading to the occurrence, supervision and monitoring of the operations were inadequate. The trainee master had never manoeuvred tugs propelled by a Voith-Schneider system. He had begun his tug training a few days before with various masters, each of whom seems to have his own way of executing manoeuvres. Some prefer to have the stern of the tug approach the ship and face astern in order to have a better view of the stern approaching the vessel to be assisted whereas others prefer to do the opposite. While approaching the bow of the JADE STAR, the trainee master was forward of the controls facing astern of the tug. This unusual position for him probably contributed to what proved to be a hazardous manoeuvre. The operator has a health and safety program for marine services but no training program for its new masters. An operating policy including a training program would have provided a better framework for the trainee master's training and might perhaps have helped to prevent this accident.Analysis Approaching the bow of a ship under way to take the towline messenger is an operation demanding considerable skill and involves some risk. Constant attention is essential on the part of both the trainer and the trainee. During the operations leading to the occurrence, supervision and monitoring of the operations were inadequate. The trainee master had never manoeuvred tugs propelled by a Voith-Schneider system. He had begun his tug training a few days before with various masters, each of whom seems to have his own way of executing manoeuvres. Some prefer to have the stern of the tug approach the ship and face astern in order to have a better view of the stern approaching the vessel to be assisted whereas others prefer to do the opposite. While approaching the bow of the JADE STAR, the trainee master was forward of the controls facing astern of the tug. This unusual position for him probably contributed to what proved to be a hazardous manoeuvre. The operator has a health and safety program for marine services but no training program for its new masters. An operating policy including a training program would have provided a better framework for the trainee master's training and might perhaps have helped to prevent this accident. The Port-Cartier tugs are propelled by a Voith-Schneider system, which is very different from a conventional propeller-shaft system. A trainee master was at the tug's controls during manoeuvres requiring good mastery. The regular master responsible for training the trainee master was not ready to take over quickly. In trying to correct the tug's position relative to the tanker's bow, the trainee master executed a manoeuvre that made the situation worse. The tug was struck on the starboard stern and sustained some damage. The operator does not have a training program for its new masters.Findings The Port-Cartier tugs are propelled by a Voith-Schneider system, which is very different from a conventional propeller-shaft system. A trainee master was at the tug's controls during manoeuvres requiring good mastery. The regular master responsible for training the trainee master was not ready to take over quickly. In trying to correct the tug's position relative to the tanker's bow, the trainee master executed a manoeuvre that made the situation worse. The tug was struck on the starboard stern and sustained some damage. The operator does not have a training program for its new masters. The tug BROCHU was struck by the ship that it was assisting during manoeuvres as it was preparing to take the towline messenger. The trainee master, who was at the tug's controls, did not have the necessary training to perform such a manoeuvre considering his lack of experience with the propulsion system. The regular master responsible for his training was not ready to take charge quickly.Causes and Contributing Factors The tug BROCHU was struck by the ship that it was assisting during manoeuvres as it was preparing to take the towline messenger. The trainee master, who was at the tug's controls, did not have the necessary training to perform such a manoeuvre considering his lack of experience with the propulsion system. The regular master responsible for his training was not ready to take charge quickly. As a result of this occurrence, the head of tug operations has developed a procedure to ensure more rigorous monitoring during the training of trainee masters. Training reports will help to ensure more gradual follow-up of the skills acquired by the candidates for the various types of manoeuvres. This report completes the Transportation Safety Board's investigation into this occurrence. Consequently, the Board, consisting of Chairman Benot Bouchard and members Maurice Harquail, Charles Simpson, and W.A. Tadros, authorized the release of this report of 7 August 1997. [1]All times are EDT (coordinated universal time [UTC] minus four hours) unless otherwise indicated.Safety Action As a result of this occurrence, the head of tug operations has developed a procedure to ensure more rigorous monitoring during the training of trainee masters. Training reports will help to ensure more gradual follow-up of the skills acquired by the candidates for the various types of manoeuvres. This report completes the Transportation Safety Board's investigation into this occurrence. Consequently, the Board, consisting of Chairman Benot Bouchard and members Maurice Harquail, Charles Simpson, and W.A. Tadros, authorized the release of this report of 7 August 1997. [1]All times are EDT (coordinated universal time [UTC] minus four hours) unless otherwise indicated.